Leonardo: ‘Igor is a dedicated, young dairy farmer who cares a lot about milk production and technology. He has been really enthusiastic about his experience transitioning to robotic milking. Since Lapa is a new area for this Lely Center, Igor’s strong results are important. They’re helping to set a good example and move things forward in the region.’
What makes this particular project stand out for the Lely Center Carambeí?
Igor: ‘Do your research, but don’t be afraid. The cows adapt quicker than you’d think. And with Lely’s support, you’re never alone. It’s a real investment in the future of your farm, and in your family’s quality of life.’
What would you say to other farmers thinking about making the switch?
Igor: ‘Definitely. Lely Horizon gives us data in real time; we get alerts if a cow might be unwell, and it helps with calving, insemination and dry-off schedules. It takes away the guesswork, and that has made managing the herd so much easier.’
Have you noticed other benefits besides the milking routine?
Igor: ‘The robots have changed everything. We used to milk at 5 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. every single day, including weekends. It involved my whole family. Now we’re no longer tied to that rigid schedule. We’ve got so much more flexibility. It has given us a better work-life balance – not just for us, but also for our employees.’
How has your day-to-day life on the farm changed since using Lely robots?
Igor: ‘Honestly? Far better than anyone expected. People kept saying the cows wouldn’t go into the Astronaut, or that it wouldn’t work. But the opposite happened. They were actually calmer than ever before. It was amazing to see how smoothly they adapted, and how peaceful the milking process became.’
And how did the cows respond once the robot was installed?
Farm facts
Farm data: Family-owned farm
Location: Lapa, Brazil
Start date: Lely customer since 2017
Number of cows: 170
Lely robots: Lely Astronauts
Lely Center: Lely Center Carambeí
What first got you interested in robotic milking?
Igor: ‘Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved being around cows. In 2017, I started reading about robotic milking and was immediately convinced it was the way forward. But my grandparents were unsure. It’s a big shift from conventional milking – a lot of new technology, a big investment – and they were worried about how the cows would react to it.’
Leonardo Gabriel Moreira
Local Sales Advisor,
Lely Center Carambeí
Igor Steklain (21)
Family-owned farm
HAPPY FARMER
While third-generation dairy farmer Igor Steklain in Lapa, Brazil (Cluster LATAM) was excited by the idea of switching to robotic milking, he experienced some hesitance within his family, especially from his grandparents. ‘But the transition worked out far better than anyone expected,’ he says.
Igor: ‘Definitely. Lely Horizon gives us data in real time; we get alerts if a cow might be unwell, and it helps with calving, insemination and dry-off schedules. It takes away the guesswork, and that has made managing the herd so much easier.’
Have you noticed other benefits besides the milking routine?
Leonardo: ‘Igor is a dedicated, young dairy farmer who cares a lot about milk production and technology. He has been really enthusiastic about his experience transitioning to robotic milking. Since Lapa is a new area for this Lely Center, Igor’s strong results are important. They’re helping to set a good example and move things forward in the region.’
What makes this particular project stand out for the Lely Center Carambeí?
Leonardo Gabriel Moreira
Local Sales Advisor,
Lely Center Carambeí
Igor: ‘The robots have changed everything. We used to milk at 5 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. every single day, including weekends. It involved my whole family. Now we’re no longer tied to that rigid schedule. We’ve got so much more flexibility. It has given us a better work-life balance – not just for us, but also for our employees.’
How has your day-to-day life on the farm changed since using Lely robots?
Igor Steklain (21)
Family-owned farm
What first got you interested in robotic milking?
Igor: ‘Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved being around cows. In 2017, I started reading about robotic milking and was immediately convinced it was the way forward. But my grandparents were unsure. It’s a big shift from conventional milking – a lot of new technology, a big investment – and they were worried about how the cows would react to it.’
Igor: ‘Do your research, but don’t be afraid. The cows adapt quicker than you’d think. And with Lely’s support, you’re never alone. It’s a real investment in the future of your farm, and in your family’s quality of life.’
What would you say to other farmers thinking about making the switch?
Igor: ‘Honestly? Far better than anyone expected. People kept saying the cows wouldn’t go into the Astronaut, or that it wouldn’t work. But the opposite happened. They were actually calmer than ever before. It was amazing to see how smoothly they adapted, and how peaceful the milking process became.’
And how did the cows respond once the robot was installed?
Farm facts
Farm data: Family-owned farm
Location: Lapa, Brazil
Start date: Lely customer since 2017
Number of cows: 170
Lely robots: Lely Astronauts
Lely Center: Lely Center Carambeí
While third-generation dairy farmer Igor Steklain in Lapa, Brazil (Cluster LATAM) was excited by the idea of switching to robotic milking, he experienced some hesitance within his family, especially from his grandparents. ‘But the transition worked out far better than anyone expected,’ he says.
HAPPY FARMER
